NATCHEZ &045;&045; Parade-goers traded in their umbrellas for sunglasses at Friday’s Krewe of Phoenix parade.

In stark contrast to last week’s rain and cold temperatures, 70-degree sunny skies made the second of Natchez’s two Mardi Gras parades more pleasant for viewers.

&uot;I wish I had worn my sun shades,&uot; Cindy Hudson said. &uot;Last week I had a hood over my head. I was freezing cold and wringing wet. This week all I need is sun shades.&uot;

Teresa Price and family arrived at 1 p.m. to get a good parking place.

&uot;We brought three cars, five children and two grandchildren,&uot; Price said.

&uot;We had to get a good place so the kids could see. We’ve been sitting out here waiting on it to start and barbequing.&uot;

The parade drew viewers from as far away as Southpoint, Ohio, and for some the day was more memorable than for others.

&uot;We just got married at the gazebo,&uot; said Roger Cade of Ohio.

&uot;This is our honeymoon. We love your city.&uot;

Eleven-year-old Rachel Boutwell celebrated her birthday at the parade. Boutwell and about 10 friends made the trip from Brookhaven. Boutwell hand painted bags for her friends to put their beads in. &uot;The best part is getting the pink beads,&uot; said Morgan Dixon, 12, who was with the birthday girl.

Grand Marshal Greg Iles said it had been 10 years since he grand marshaled a Natchez parade.

&uot;This was more fun than last time,&uot; he said. &uot;I’m kind of a hermit because I’m a writer but I come out two times a year and this is worth coming out for.&uot; Iles, a Natchez native, has written several best-selling books.